Have you ever tried solving a problem with a step by step process in mind to come up with a solution? Doing so means you have already experienced linear thinking. It is a straightforward forward thinking that many of us use everyday to process information and make decisions - but there's a lot to discover about this common thought process. In this article, we will uncover what is linear thinking; what it really means, when it works best, and how it differs from other ways of thinking.
Linear thinking is a way of reasoning that involves logical progression following a starting and end point, just like a straight line. Linear thinkers are considered to be left-brained with most of them being analytical, organized, and goal-oriented. These individuals follow a sequence when dealing with everyday tasks and dilemmas, starting with the specific concern and eventually ending with an answer based on logic and existing data. What makes this beneficial is that their brains base on past experiences to come up with solutions. Usually, they thrive on creating rules and patterns to drive conclusions and make decisions.
A linear thinker often handles any situation with structure and precision. They are typically good at math, science and technical subjects, having a good chance to become engineers, accountants, information technology specialists and other research-based professions. Let us discuss more about the unique qualities these people share.
Linear thinkers works best when there's a clear overview and goal given. They are more productive when they know how much time they have and what is the expected outcome since they are good at following processes, meeting deadlines, and complying to protocols. Giving them clarity can help them plan out solutions ahead of time. Checklists, guidelines, and timelines contribute much to linear thinking.
When facing problems, the linear thinking approach splits it into smaller parts which allows the analytical mindset to take over. Typically, it is done by accomplishing one category at a time to avoid being overwhelmed and following a process to resolve the bigger issue. Let's take organizing events as an example. Splitting it into smaller sub-units such as budgeting, venue booking, completing the guest list, and food catering can be very effective for linear thinking styles.
Linear thinking thrives on proven and tested methods. Work becomes easier and convenient when rules and systems are being followed, leading to productivity and positive results. This approach can be very dependable and consistent, but doesn't give room for flexibility when creativity is needed. In a work set up, this thinking style always follows rules and guidelines and expects colleagues to do the same.
Individuals who often practice linear thinking are not good at multi-tasking. They perform best when they focus on one task at a time before moving on to the next. This approach can lead to high accuracy, especially when it comes to detail-oriented work, but is difficult to thrive in fast-paced environments. Typically, people with this thinking tend to block out time in their calendar to hyper focus on a specific task rather than moving between reports, emails, and meetings.
Linear thinking involves only two answers - right or wrong. As logical as it should be, this type of thinking is simply fast and organized, making it constitute 90% of our daily thought process. To fully understand this concept, here are real-life examples of linear thinking on a day to day activity basis.
These examples show that linear thinking is common and experienced in our everyday life. It is easier to accomplish these tasks when a structured approach is followed.
Being aware of what is linear thinking and when it works best can help you adjust your ideas and thoughts to perform well with your profession or even with simple daily tasks. This thinking approach is essentially powerful in environments requiring cause-and-effect logic, following sequenced procedures, and expecting quantifiable results. Let us cite some situations where this way of thinking is effective and useful:
To simplify, linear mindset is beneficial in organized environments where a structured approach and accuracy matters.
Every person is unique and so is their way of thinking. Non-linear thinking, also called lateral thinking, often involves creativity, thinking out of the box, and looking at multiple perspectives to solve a problem. Unlike a linear mindset, they do not conform to fixed procedures and structured approaches. Individuals in a marketing field suit this type of thinking. Creating a marketing campaign for a product that is not performing well must go through a free-flowing brainstorming session where team members can contribute different ideas before finally reaching a resolution.
So, what really makes this thinking unique? Lateral thinking has no path to follow when trying to solve problems. The whole process is simply intuitive and spontaneous where proposals and suggestions jump from one thought to another. This type of thinking is generally beneficial in fields related to design, advertising, entrepreneurship, and any other industries requiring creativity.
While you may think that every person only follows one thinking style, you're wrong. Others may gravitate towards a certain thinking style but it is not impossible to improve the other. A linear thinker may experiment with brainstorming techniques to allow room for flexibility, while a lateral thinker can work with goal-setting and following structured procedures. The truth is, our minds are indeed flexible. There are times we follow a specific process to do things while we can also be creative when needed. It's just a matter of balancing our thinking styles depending on the situation while still aiming for the best solution.
So what is linear thinking and in what situation does it work best? Linear thinking is the most common thought processing used when solving problems and accomplishing everyday tasks. It involves a step by step and orderly process to achieve a specific result. Individuals with these thinking patterns fit in engineering, science, math, and research-based professions due to the need of following systems, rules, and protocols in order to be productive. Even with the linear mindset, a person can still develop and shift to lateral thinking which involves more creativity and spontaneity. Understanding your natural thinking pattern can help you go through problems effectively, work with others better, and grow holistically.
Ronald Osborne is an Australian entrepreneur and experienced business coach. With over ten years of business and mentoring experience, an MBA specializing in Finance, along with launching/partnering with over 10 of his own companies around the globe, he has been able to achieve his version of success. Ronald has been able to help large telecommunication companies, law firms, trade businesses, and everyday business owners improve their business and take it to the next level.
